PITTSBURGH — When it comes to the top of the draft, Bobby Heck doesn’t really have a type. It’s more like two types.

In each of his five drafts, he’s taken an up-the-middle position player first — two shortstops, a second baseman, a catcher and a center fielder.

And with this year’s selection of Lance McCullers Jr., who director of player development Fred Nelson said Monday is being pointed toward a July 13 debut, the Astros have added a high school pitcher to the organization with their second pick in each of Heck’s drafts.

One is already a success story, as Jordan Lyles (2008) has made the majors. One has struggled, as Tanner Bushue (2009) was sent back to rookie ball this year. And Mike Foltynewicz (2010) and Adrian Houser (2011) remain very much on track.

But all five have something in common in addition to age and position upon being drafted. All are hard throwers, all are righthanded, and all are very athletic, with four of them standing 6-4.

“These are guys that played multiple sports, and those guys lend themselves to durability, too,” Heck said. “A lot of it is the body speed, body control, body awareness. Then you take that and translate it into delivery and arm action.”

As for McCullers, the exception to the height rule at closer to an even 6 feet, he will throw a couple more bullpens and a live batting practice session before that July 13 start in the Gulf Coast League.

Seaton pretty

While not a second pick in the draft, Ross Seaton certainly fits the mold of an athletic righthander, and the Second Baptist product is enjoying a very good year for Class AA Corpus Christi.

Seaton, with a 3.93 ERA, has a finesse profile if you’re looking at stats, with 18 walks and 55 strikeouts in 94 innings. Nelson, who has seen him throw and seen the reports, loves the stuff.

“The quality of his stuff has just improved,” Nelson said. “I see him maturing physically and even emotionally.”

Odds and ends

High Class A Lancaster starter R.J. Alaniz, arguably that club’s top pitching prospect, was placed on the disabled list with a shoulder strain. Nelson said an exact timetable is unknown, but he doesn’t expect it to be serious. …
In Alaniz’s place, righthander Nick Tropeano was called up after an All-Star first half at low Class A Lexington and struck out nine in eight innings, allowing only an unearned run. …
Shortstop Jiovanni Mier is likely out another 10 days with a hamstring strain suffered early in the season, Nelson said.

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Photo: Jerry Baker / For the Chronicle

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Klein Collins shortstop C.J. Hinojosa, right, was taken in the 26th round by the Astros. His teammate Austin Dean, left, went much higher, No. 137 overall to the Marlins.

Klein Collins shortstop C.J. Hinojosa, right, was taken in the 26th round by the Astros. His teammate Austin Dean, left, went much higher, No. 137 overall to the Marlins.

Photo: Jerry Baker / For the Chronicle

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Austin Elkins, right, of Dallas Baptist University hit .344 in 56 games for the Patriots this season. The Astros made him their 19th-round pick, No. 579 overall.

Austin Elkins, right, of Dallas Baptist University hit .344 in 56 games for the Patriots this season. The Astros made him their 19th-round pick, No. 579 overall.

Photo: Jose Yau / Associated Press

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The Astros took catcher M.P. Cokinos in the 31st round Wednesday. After starring at Houston's Memorial High School, Cokinos played at the University of Houston before transferring to St. Mary's University.

The Astros took catcher M.P. Cokinos in the 31st round Wednesday. After starring at Houston's Memorial High School, Cokinos played at the University of Houston before transferring to St. Mary's University.

Photo: Bob Levey / For The Chronicle

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Student and baseball player Carlos Correa attends a press conference in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging shortstop made hometown history on Monday after being selected by the Houston Astros as No. 1 in the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first No. 1 overall pick from Puerto Rico. less

Student and baseball player Carlos Correa attends a press conference in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging shortstop made hometown history on Monday after being ... more

Photo: Ricardo Arduengo / Associated Press

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Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, center, is surrounded by classmates upon his arrival to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging shortstop made hometown history on Monday after being selected by the Houston Astros as No. 1 in the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first No. 1 overall pick from Puerto Rico. less

Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, center, is surrounded by classmates upon his arrival to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the ... more

Photo: Ricardo Arduengo / Associated Press

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Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, center, is greeted by classmates upon his arrival to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging shortstop made hometown history on Monday after being selected by the Houston Astros as No. 1 in the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first No. 1 overall pick from Puerto Rico. less

Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, center, is greeted by classmates upon his arrival to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the ... more

Photo: Ricardo Arduengo / Associated Press

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Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, center, signs an autograph on a ball at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging shortstop made hometown history on Monday after being selected by the Houston Astros as No. 1 in the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first No. 1 overall pick from Puerto Rico. less

Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, center, signs an autograph on a ball at the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging ... more

Photo: Ricardo Arduengo / Associated Press

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Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, top right, gestures in celebration upon his arrival to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the 17-year-old slugging shortstop made hometown history on Monday after being selected by the Houston Astros as No. 1 in the Major League Baseball draft, becoming the first No. 1 overall pick from Puerto Rico. less

Student and baseball player Carlos Correa, top right, gestures in celebration upon his arrival to the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy High School in Caguas, Puerto Rico, Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Correa, the ... more

Photo: Ricardo Arduengo / Associated Press

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The Astros made 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa the first-overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft.

The Astros made 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Correa the first-overall pick in the 2012 MLB draft.

Photo: Courtesy of Puerto Rico Academy

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Correa is the highest selection to come from Puerto Rico.

Correa is the highest selection to come from Puerto Rico.

Photo: Courtesy of Puerto Rico Academy

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The Astros selected 2012 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year Lance McCullers Jr. with the 41st pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. McCullers went 13-0 with a 0.18 ERA with 140 strikeouts and only 30 walks and 28 hits in 77 1/3 innings as a senior. less

The Astros selected 2012 Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year Lance McCullers Jr. with the 41st pick in the 2012 MLB Draft. McCullers went 13-0 with a 0.18 ERA with 140 strikeouts and only 30 walks ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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Lance McCullers Jr. poses with three-time MLB All-Star and current MLB Network broadcaster Sean Casey after receiving the Gatorade award. His father, Lance Sr., was a second-round selection of the Phillies in 1982. less

Lance McCullers Jr. poses with three-time MLB All-Star and current MLB Network broadcaster Sean Casey after receiving the Gatorade award. His father, Lance Sr., was a second-round selection of the Phillies in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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With the first pick of the second round, the Astros took Florida shortstop Nolan Fontana, seen scoring against Vanderbilt during the Southeastern Conference tournament on May 24.

With the first pick of the second round, the Astros took Florida shortstop Nolan Fontana, seen scoring against Vanderbilt during the Southeastern Conference tournament on May 24.

Photo: Dave Martin / Associated Press

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Brady Rodgers pitched for Lamar Consolidated before going to Arizona State. A lifelong Astros fan, he was taken by the team in the third round.

Brady Rodgers pitched for Lamar Consolidated before going to Arizona State. A lifelong Astros fan, he was taken by the team in the third round.

Photo: Rob Schumacher / Rob Schumacher/The Republic

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Rio Ruiz of Bishop Amat High School in Southern California was the Astros fifth-round pick. He is coming off a health scare where he developed a blood clot but is healthy again. He is committed to USC but the Astros hope to sign this power-hitting third baseman. less

Rio Ruiz of Bishop Amat High School in Southern California was the Astros fifth-round pick. He is coming off a health scare where he developed a blood clot but is healthy again. He is committed to USC but the ... more

Photo: Larry Goren / ASSOCIATED PRESS

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Andrew Aplin, left, was chosen in the fifth round by the Astros. The Arizona State outfielder is a California native and batted .313 for the Sun Devils this season.

Andrew Aplin, left, was chosen in the fifth round by the Astros. The Arizona State outfielder is a California native and batted .313 for the Sun Devils this season.

Photo: Deirdre Hamill / Deirdre Hamill/The Republic

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Florida's Preston Tucker was taken in the seventh round. Tucker is a 6 foot, 220-pound outfielder for the Gators. He was drafted in the 16th round last year by the Rockies and he improved his stock significantly this year. His biggest asset is power, and it is in evidence here in this two-run home run against Georgia Tech on June 2.
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Florida's Preston Tucker was taken in the seventh round. Tucker is a 6 foot, 220-pound outfielder for the Gators. He was drafted in the 16th round last year by the Rockies and he improved his stock ... more